Rail-lock



E. w. DORSEY.

HAIL LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED IA! 5. 1919.

1,3 12,621 Patented Au 12, 1919.

FIG.4

EDWARD W. DDRSEY BY 7%w nnwnnn w. DORSEY, or NEWARK, oino.

RAIL-LOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 12, 1919.

Application filed May 5, 1919. Serial No. 294,882.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that EDWARD W. Donsnr, a citizen of the United States of America, residin at Newark, in the count of Licking and tate of Ohio, has invente certain new and useful Improvements in Rail-L0cks, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in rail locks, designed for use on railways to couple the adjoinin rails, particularly the converging rails o a switch or cross-over with the track rail of the main line of a railway track. As is well known the passing of the rolling stock over the tracks, especially when the trailic is in one direction only, causes the rails to creep, and this creeping of the rails, especially at the junction of a switch with the main-line, frequently causes the replacement of switch rails to correct the alinement of the tracks, and requires continuous attention for readjusting the rails.

The purpose of my invention is to provide means for locking the adjoining rails of the switch and main track so that they will creep or move in unison, and movement of one rail. inde endent of the adjoining rail, is prevente Thus when a train is passing over the main track, the rails ahead of it are depressed and are caused to cree with the approach of the heavv load, an the presence of the rail lock of my invention causes the switch rail that is coupled with the main track rail to move in unison with the main rack rail and maintain its same relative position with regard to the main track. If the railway be a one track line, i. 6., with trains passing in both directions on the same track, the adjoining rails and their coupling members forming the lock, are maintained in normal relationship one with another and disarrangement of the switch or track rails is prevented.

As the load of the ap roaching train comes on the tracks or rai s, the latter are depressed, and to compensate for this action, and prevent dislocation or disarrangement of the lock members. I provide for a relative vertical movement of the members of the locking device, but cause the parts to be so looked as to prevent independent movement of the rails in the direction of travel of the passing rolling stock.

The invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts as hereinafter described and claimed, and in the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example, and a slightly modified form, of the hysical embodiment of my invention, accor ing to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a railway track showing the junction therewith of a switch or cross-over, and between a air of adjoining and converging rails t e rail lock of my present invention is utilized.

Fig. 2 is a plan view, enlarged, of the lock device.

Fig. 3 is a vertical, transverse sectional view on line 11 of Fig. 2.

Fi 4 is a plan view showing the lock Inem ers arranged in different relative po sitions from that of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a modified form of the invention, wherein are employed different attaching flanges or plates for the lock members.

F1 6 is a sectional view illustrating the ossi le vertical movement of one look memer and rail with relation to the complementary member and rail, as one rail is depressed from a passing load.

In Fig. 1 a plan view of a portion of a railway is illustrated, showing the main track rails 1, 1, and the switch or cross over rails 2, '2, provided with the usual frog 3, and the rails 4 of the switch and 4' of the track, as they converge, are provided with the device of the invention as indicated at D in Fig. 1, and the usual switch lever mechanism is indicated at 5 also in said fi re.

The rail lock is made up e$ent1all of the two members 6 and 7, the former a cad with rounded sides and flat top and bottom faces and the latter a circular socket member adapted to receive the head and conforming to its configuration, and open at the top and bottom. These respective members are fashioned with flanges or plates 8 and 9 for attachment to the web of the rails by the usual bolts 10 in connection with the lock plates 11, and secured by nuts 12 onthe bolts, washers 13, and finally the cotter pins 14 as passed through the bolts to prevent dislocation of the nuts.

In Fig. 5 a somewhat modified form of the device is indicated, the head being designated 6' and the socket 7, while the flanges or plates 8' and 9' extend equidstant at both sides oi the member that they cam.

As shown the lock members are so coupled together that the approaching train on the main track 1, 1,.in Fig. 1, will deprees and push ahead of it the track or rail designated -l and the rail may be de )lUSStEtl independent of the rail -1 because oi? the open top and bottom soeket member which permits the head (3 to have vertical movement relatively to it, as indicated in Fig. (l. The creeping movement of the rail 4' how-ever is imparted lo the rail 1 through the lock joint 1) and these two rail members are thus kept in constant relationship one with the other.

The lock is thus flexible in its connection wilth the rails and its members are inde pendently movable with relation to each other, and the vertical movement between the parts or members eliminates the likelihood of breakage of parts. In Fig. 4 the parls are shown as arranged between rouu-rn'iug rails wherein spike plates, bolts, elm, may be present in the tracks making it necessary to aline the flanges rather than loralo them abreast of earh other. The plates of the lock members are made to eon form to the outline of the web of the rails, and thus the members may be rigidly and securely bolted to the rails without likelihood of displacement.

The bolting flanges 8 and 9 may be made Genie: of this patent may be obtained for to conform witlu and in some cases, replace the usual angle, fish, or splice plates.

in the modified form of l ig. 5 the socket member extends about the head, holding the members together and preventing spreading of the rails.

What I rlaim is l.. The combination with the pair of rails and an atmaohii'ig plate bolted to earl of a socket member on one plate and ahead member on the complemcntary plate fitted together and adapted for relative vertical movement.

2. The combination with the ronverging rails, of a lock device coupling said rails and comprising a socket member and a head member therein and said members adwpted for relative vertical movement,

3. The combination with the ttlljfilllll'lg rails angularly disposed, of a flexible lorltinn deri e :omprising a socket member forming a partly "lllwt'itl annular recess open at top and boltolm and a head member tilted in. said recess as described, and attaching plates lor earh member secured to the respective rails.

In testimony whereof he aflixes his signature.

EDWARD W. DORSE Y.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of I'atents, Washington, D. 0." 

